CHAPTER V
_Edward convalesceth i' the Green Lattice_
When mine Eyes opened next Morning, my loved _Mother's_ dear, pale Facewas hanging over me. "Child," quod she, "Misfortunes never comealone—When Master _Hewet's_ Post came to _Ashford_ with News of thySickness, I was far from Home, in _Westmoreland_, at the Death-bed ofthine Uncle _Lancelyn_; and I wist not till Yesterday, what News wasawaiting my Return." ... And she hung over me, and bathed my Face in herTears. "But I am proud of thee, my _Ned_" quod she, "and so would thyFather have been. And thou hast taken off from thee the Reproach ofbeing taught of a Woman as well as born of a Woman ... my dear, dearSon!"
Oh! what a Heaven it was to get well! There was my loved _Mother_ besideme at her Sewing, telling me of _Ashford_ and the green Lanes of _Kent_,and of the wild Hills of _Westmoreland_, till I seemed to be theremyself. There was Mistress _Fraunces_ cockering me up, first with Sweetsand cooling Drinks, and then with savoury and strengthening Things; evento _Mortreuse_ and _Leche Lombard_! And when I was able to sit up at thegreen Lattice, Mistress _Anne_ and I would look down on the Barges andBoats, and play at divers Games and tell divers Stories. The Lodger thathad beforetime occupied this Chamber, had left a Heap of old Books andwritten Papers, which, having Nothing private in them, my Master said Iwas free to look over. There was Part of a Chronicle of _English_History, whether the Writer's own Composure or a Traduction, I wot not;but brave and pleasant Reading, about the Courts of _England_, _France_,_Spain_, and _Flanders_, in the Time of our _Edward_ the _Third_, andQueen _Philippa_. Another Work was a Romaunt of Love and Chivalry: alsoan Account of _London Bridge_, and _Chaucer's Canterbury Tales_, and aTreatyse on Fysshynge. Likewise, there was a great Roll of Drawings,done, I afterwards found, by another Lodger, in black and red Chalk,much fouled, smeared, and chafed, but diverting to look at, beingRepresentations of Men, Women, Children, Skeletons, Death's Heads,Bones, Angels, Fiends, Hippogriffs,—and divers other Presentments; with_H. H._ writ at the End.
Thus pleasantly passed the Time till the Doctor said I had only now topick up my Strength; and my _Mother_ then thought it Time for her toreturn to my little Brothers. The Evening before she left, she saythunto me somewhat apologetically, "_Ned_, thine Uncle _Edward_ havingdied childless, and left all to thine unmarried Uncle _Lancelyn_, whohath now left me his Heir, I am now well to do, with an hundred Pound bythe Year, real Estate, and, personal Estate, five hundred Pounds, whichI have taken kind Master _Hewet's_ Advice concerning the Disposal of.And he, being kindly affectioned unto thee just now, (as well he maybe,) is pleased to say thou art sure to make thine own Way in the World,and to advise my devising all my personal Estate unto thy youngerBrothers, thou being secure of the other at my Death."
Quod I, "Dear _Mother_, mayst thou live as long as I shall! There isNothing thou canst do so much to my Mind as to care for _Thomas_ and_Julian_, the one of whom is weakly and unfit for active Life, and theother, I think, will love Farming. Master _Hewet_, I am certified, hathspoken wisely." And in sooth, I was glad to note what a goodUnderstanding seemed to exist, on so short Acquaintance, between him andmy dear _Mother_.
So, when she was gone, I had Nothing to do but to get well. Marry! whata hard Matter, though, it was!—At first I was glad to think I might goforth abroad, and resume my old Gossips with _Tomkins_. But the veryfirst Time I essayed to clamber up to his Attick, though 'twas only twoshort Flights, I found myself so weak that I was fain to sit down on theStair and shed Tears, whether I would or no. And there, to my very greatShame, I was found of my Master. He bespake me kindly, and helped me up,and said this Weakness would soon go off: howbeit, it did not.—I alwaysthink that Chirurgeon bled me too freely: I noted his saying, "We'llknock him down first, and then build him up again!" which carryeth aSound of Smartness, but not always answereth with the Event. Thus, 'twasnow found I must still go softly; and the Weather being sultry, Master_Hewet_ bade me keep as much as I could i' the open Air and Shade, andcreep out, as my Strength permitted, to the Fields, with Mistress _Anne_to my Mate. So we went forth Hand in Hand, for I was past carrying her;and presently I say, "Oh me, Mistress! ... I must sit down"—and saythshe, "There's a Door-step i' the Shade a little farther on, with a niceold Woman on it, selling Mulberries." So we creep on, and the littleMaid buyeth me Mulberries, and I eat and rest, and am refreshed. Thenquod I, "Let's go back now, Mistress;" but sayth she, "Oh, let's try togo on to _Trolop's_ Milk-farm." So I love not to cross the littleFondling, and as soon as we reach the green Meadows, the fresh, sweetAir seems to take away that queer, light, fluttering Feel in my Head,and to refresh and brace me; and I lie on the Grass i' the Shade, andshe runs hither and thither and gathers Borage, and Blue Bugloss, andBushy Red-mint, and bringeth them to me, saying, "What's this?" and"What's this?" And so we go on Day by Day.
Now as touching _Miles Hackathrift_. When I first lay sick, I have saidhe was mighty softened, and went gently and seemed amain concerned forme. Howbeit, Boy's Grief not long lasteth, and he soon fell tired offeeling or feigning any; more by Token, he perceived his was outrun bythat of Everyone in the House. Whereupon he turned about, and grewindifferent, then jealous, then surly, then envious, doubtless by smallDegrees; but of this, I, being apart from him, was not cognizant; andthe Change made itself apparent to me all at once. First, when Master_Hewet_ was out, he took Advantage of it to come trampling up Stairswith all the Clamour he could, singing, "Row the Boat, Norman!" in adefiant sort of Way; and when Mistress _Fraunces_ put her Head forth ofthe Lattice Chamber and sayth, "Make not such a Turmoil, _Miles_," hepretended to stumble on _Tomkins's_ Stair, and let a heavy Weight rollall the way down it. When he clattered down after it, Mistress_Fraunces_, watching her Opportunity, gave him a Rap on the Head, whichI know that white Hand of hers could not have dealt very heavily;natheless he took Occasion by it to cry out sharply, and then give oneor two dismal Grones, which he was too spirited to have done had he inverity been mal-entreated. However, finding he might not sing nor slamDoors while I lay under the Leech's Care, he turned sulky and heldclose, so as that scarce yea or nay was to be had out of him. When atlength I returned to our Loft, he took Care to do me to wit how pleasantit had been to him to have it all to himself; and immediately tookAdvantage of my coming back, to oversleep himself of a Morning. Also heinstantly intermitted all the little Share of my Work that had been putupon him while I was ill. Seeing me turn white from Time to Time, hesaid I was shamming for the Sake of Soups and Cordials; and when I wentforth with Mistress _Anne_, he called me a special good Nursery-maid.All this I cared for very little, knowing that when I got stout, I couldsoon put him down; but meantime, 'twas not over-pleasant to be scoffedat as a languid Lad, who, if trodden on, could not turn again. One Day,when some Trifle had made me start and change Colour,—I think it wasseeing Mistress _Anne_ go nigh the open Window,—he had half pronounced,"You Coward!" when, suddenly changing his Mind, he sayth, "Dost knowwhat new Name I have found for thee, and taught the Lads along theBridge? 'The Knight of the Flying Leap!'" Which was humourous, but notwell natured. Howbeit I heard it often enough for awhile, but as a Titleof Distinction instead of Derision; which incensed the Author of it.
But all these little Clouds blew over during the three Weeks I spentwith my Mother at _Ashford_. When I came back, I was the same Lad asever, and took Things as I found them, and fell into my old Place.
Tryphena & Tryphosa]
In the October of this Year, Sir _John Gresham_, Mercer, being chosenMayor, his Company resolved to get up their famous Pageant of the MaidenChariot; and having vainly cast about among their own Fraternity for ayoung Damsel sufficiently comely to be the Admiration of all the City,and likewise able and willing to play the Part of Chariot Maiden, theyat length offered it to the youngest Daughter of Master _Soper_ theBarbitonsor who lived on the Bridge. Now Master _Soper_ had twoDaughters, good and pretty Girls enow as Times went, _Tryphena_ and_Tryphosa_ by Name, fresh-coloured, sprightly, and much admired by theBridge 'Prentices. These two Sisters were
seldom apart, inasmuch as boththeir Heads might commonly be seen out of one upper Lattice, lookingafter every Thing that passed in the Strete; and 'twas in their Favourthat they always seemed on the best of Terms with one another. Butwhether by Reason of any Unguent of Master _Soper's_, or mere Liberalityof Nature, I wot not, the younger, who in no other Wise excelled herSister, was notorious for the excessive Length and Thickness of herglossy flaxen Hair. And this being an indispensable Requisite for theChariot Maiden, the Mercers without more Ado offered her the Part, whichshe with great Glee accepted. Now hereupon, I lament to say, ensewedgreat Disruption between the twain hitherto so harmonious; for PublicAdmiration of Beauty is as true a Test of what is the Nature of aWoman's Heart, as the black Marble the Goldsmiths call Touchstone is oftheir precious Metals. If her Head be not turned by it, good: if she canbear it bestowed upon another and o'erlooked in herself, why, goodalso,—she can stand the Touchstone: howbeit, all have not this Virtue.And, whereas _Tryphosa_ was now so elate with thinking of her whitesatin Gown, her golden Sandals, her jewelled Crown, and her Feast in theHall, as to suppose the Ground scarce good enow for her to tread upon,_Tryphena_ was ready to burst with Envy of her Sister, and could scarcespeak peaceably unto her. However, she came to her common Sense and goodFeeling at last, and found her Account in playing Second; many goodThings being in Store for both. A notable Thing was, that Master_Soper's_ Shop was now literally besieged with Customers who wanted tohave a Glimpse of the Chariot Maiden, insomuch that he said he never hadhad such a Trafficking for Pennyworths in any given Year, as he had inthis Month of October; only the worst was that every Customer gave asmuch Trouble for a Penny as he should have done for a Shilling, andwould hang about, keeping away fresh Comers, when his Purchase was made.While _Tryphosa_, who had never to this Time shewn any Symptoms ofShyness, now turned coy and kept herself close; now and then letting_Tryphena_ flit through the Shop and be mistaken for her, after whichthe two would shut themselves up and go into Fits of Laughter. The Womenall along the Bridge were out of Patience with her for what they wouldhave it was simulated Bashfulness in one who meant to be stared at fromMorn to Night on _Lord Mayor's_ Day. And they satisfied themselves thatshe was shutting herself up for Fear of freckling or sunburning. As for_Miles_, who always loved to do like the rest, he was evermore runningover to Master _Soper_ to have his Hair cut, till at last it was hardlylonger than the Nap of his Gown; and I almost think he would havesubmitted one of his good white Teeth to the Barber's Pincers, if hecould have gained Admittance on no cheaper Terms; just to boast of itafterwards. At last, when the grand Day came, he and every 'Prentice onthe Bridge mobbed the Barbitonsor's Door till _Tryphosa_ was fetchedaway in a close Litter. Then there was a Rush to the _Mercers'_ Hall,where Master _Gresham_, in his Scarlet and Gold, met his Livery in theirnew Gowns furred with Foins and Budge; and accompanied them, mounted, to_Guildhall_, where the late _Mayor_, _Sheriffs_, and _Aldermen_, metthem on Horseback. Then they all took Barge to _Westminster_ and back,to the Sound of Trumpets, Sackbuts, and Shawlms, and the firing of smallGuns, and exploding of Crackers. On re-landing at _Three Cranes' Wharf_,they re-mounted, and proceeded to _Paul's Churchyard_, where they metthe Pageant, consisting of an exceeding magnifical Chariot, twenty-twoFeet high, of the _Roman_ Build, entirely covered with silver embossedWork, having _Tryphosa_ therein, set on high, in Jewels and spangledSatin; her fair flaxen Tresses dishevelled, a Sceptre in one Hand, aShield in the other, with all the Glory and Majesty possible toimagine:—_Fame_, blowing of a Trumpet right over her Head, _Wisdom_,_Modesty_, and all the rest, including the nine Muses, each in theirproper Places; _Triumph_, driving nine white _Flanders_ Horses, threeabreast; Grooms, Lictors, and Pages marching alongside the Equipage; anda Score of Salvages and Jacks-i'-the-Green, making diverting Remarks toall; and keeping the Crowd off with Squibs and Crackers.
Oh! was ever Woman exalted one Day so high (even to the first-floorWindows), to come down so low into the Retiredness of domestic Life thenext! What was _Cleopatra_ sailing down the _Cydnus_ to this? Did_Zenobia_, did _Semiramis_ ever have anything so fine in the Way ofTriumph? Pish!—Moreover, there was a separate Table prepared for_Tryphosa_, who dined in State with her chosen Ladies, attended bySeneschals, Squires, and Pages, as if she had been a Queen. And hadSwans' Pudding and Leche Lombard, I promise ye!
—But oh! poor Humanity.—'Twas noted at the Feast, more in special bysome of the chosen Ladies that thought themselves set lower than theymight have been,—that poor _Tryphosa's_ Face was so tanned by Exposureall Day to Sun and Wind, as that my _Lord Mayor's_ Gown was scarce moreScarlet. And by the Space of a Fortnight or so from that Hour, 'twas soblistered and scorched that she hated to be seen, and was obliged toblanch and mollify it with Buttermilk, Cream of Almonds, and I wot notwhat Female Recipes. Which was the more provoking, as some of theinferior Officers of the Company called, the Day after the Feast, toknow how she fared, and she was constrained to leave their Entertainmentto _Tryphena_. _Miles_, who had a Glimpse of her through an upperCasement, was so offended at her Aspect that he spent no more Pence atMaster _Soper's_. And by the Fortnight's End, the Matter had ceased tobe talked about, and the two Girls might be seen, sewing together, andkeeping an Eye to the Bridge, as contentedly and harmoniously as ever.
During my Visit to my _Mother_, a new Inmate had been brought into theFamily: to wit, a superior Kind of Maid for Mistress _Anne_, named_Damaris_, who had lived aforetime in the Household of Master _Hewet's_Brother in the Country. She was a Miracle of Composedness and discreetDemeanour, which gave her the Air of being somewhat older than shereally was. Mistress _Anne_ now spent the Chief of the Day with her inthe Green Lattice, where _Damaris_ kept herself much reserved, sewingfine Linen, and teaching her little Charge to read.
One Day, when I was moving some Laths and Cases that had stood againstthe Wall in _Tomkins's_ Attick till they were begrimed with Dust, I wasin Amaze to behold delineated on the White-wash with black Chalk, anexact Portraicture of _Tomkins_, stooping over his Work, with every Lineand Furrow of his intent, earnest Visage accurately made out.
"What's this?" quod I.
_Tomkins_ brake forth into Laughing. "I wist what you would come to,"quod he, "when you set about moving those Laths. That's Master _HansHolbein's_ Handywork. He must needs befoul the Wall with his Scrawling,just after it had been fresh Lime-washed. I told him 'twas a Pity it hadnot been scrawled first, and limewashed afterwards. So, then, in hisDespite, he scored it through with that Cross; and then I set the Lumberagainst it, and told him Nobody should see it again."
"Who is _Hans Holbein_?" quod I.
"A prime _Flemish_ Painter," returned _Tomkins_; "he tables at theGoldsmith's, nearer the north End of the Bridge. When Master _Hewet_first married, he had _Hans Holbein_ for a Lodger; and the Green Latticewas filled from End to End with his Pictures—there's a Bundle of hisScratchings down there now. Howbeit, he was too boisterous an Inmate toplease Mistress _Alice_, so Master _Hewet_ was glad to get quit of him.There's a famous Thing of his at _Surgeons' Hall_; old King _Harry_granting the Charter to the Company; howbeit, though he painted half theCourt, he did nothing better, to my Mind, than his Likeness of Mistress_Alice_, that now hangs at the Foot of her Husband's Bed. When the Doorstandeth ajar, thou mayst see it without going in."
So, the next Time I passed, I looked in, and saw the Presentment of myMaster's late Wife. Of a Truth, she must have been a fair Creature: withEyes as blue and truthful as Mistress _Anne's_, and sunny Hair thatwould have fallen over her fair Shoulders in as heavy Curls, but for herMatron's Frow's-paste. Also the same full, cherry Lips, and dimpledChin; the same small Nose, small Ear, small Hand; in fine, theForeshadow of what Mistress _Anne_ in After-time became, rather thanwhat she was yet.... Pity, so fair a Lady should die so young!
And she made a good End, _Tomkins_ told me—knew 'twas at Hand, tookcomposed Leave of all, and desired she might be buried in the Church ofSt. _Martin Orgar_; and that 30_s._ and no more should be spent to buryher decently, and 10_
s._ more for Cakes, Wine, and Spices for theMourners. Also 20_s._ out of her own private Purse to be put in theCommon-box of the Fraternity for an Alms; Five Shillings to the mortuaryPriest, and Five Shillings to the Poor in Bread. Six of the Company bareher to Church, each of whom received a silver Spoon.
Somewhere about this Time, the _Clothworkers'_ new Overseer came toexamine the Premises; and, when he had concluded his Inspectionbelow-stairs, told my Master, with some Hesitation, he had Reason tothink there was a Journeyman hid away above who worked in the House.Master _Hewet_ smiled, and told him of the Exception made in Favour of_Tomkins_, and accompanied him up-stairs, to let him witness for himselfthat his Statement was true. When we went in, _Tomkins_, for once, wasoff Duty, intent upon a Book, and so buried in it, that he started andblushed like a Boy caught conning _Tom Thumb_ in School-time. When theOverseer was gone, _Tomkins_ sayth to me with a little Dryness, "Whowould have thought of your taking me by Surprise?"
I made Answer, "Who would have thought of your being surprised?" atwhich he laughed.
"So," quod he, after weaving a little While in Silence, "they've set up_Erasmus's_ Paraphrase, now, alongside of the chained Bible in St._Magnus's_."
"They have it in all the Churches," quod I; "but how came you to knowit?"
He was silent awhile, and smiled a little. "Well," quod he, "thouknowest I have crawled out a little lately, before Breakfast; and Ithought it as well to turn into the Church for a Rest; and found that aSpell of Reading helped to pass the Time.... I go there o' Sundays, now:have done so ever since _that Night_."
"Then," quod I softly, as I leaned over him, "GOD _hath_ been mercifulto you a Sinner."
And spake never a Word moe.